Bear stories!
- Thread starter Snipe260
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yup. lots of them. And here is the spoiler.....the bear is in far more danger from you than you are from it.
But they were not internet bears....which are far and away the most dangerous bear
But they were not internet bears....which are far and away the most dangerous bear
Had a smaller black bear come out of a bush/treeline on a path i was walking back from when I was in the mountains shooting. We both stared at each other for what seemed like 5 minutes but was probably 30 seconds or less.
I realized 2 things in that time:
- I only have a 22LR bolt gun on me
- I am not 100% sure that I can make the hill on the other side of the dried out lakebed behind me before the bear would catch me
While I started getting visions and stick figure pictograms of me fighting a bear in my head, he turned around and went back into the bush.
I realized 2 things in that time:
- I only have a 22LR bolt gun on me
- I am not 100% sure that I can make the hill on the other side of the dried out lakebed behind me before the bear would catch me
While I started getting visions and stick figure pictograms of me fighting a bear in my head, he turned around and went back into the bush.
Backpacking in the Sierra Nevada's right after high school. Second or third day and and there was a pretty good thunder storm so we hunkered down in the tent. Things calmed down and there was a rustling outside near where our pack were. Being close to the trailhead we thought someone might be jacking our gear. Stuck our heads outside and a little baby bear was helping itself to our shit. He was us and skee-dadled. Of course my buddy thought it would be a good idea to follow and get a pic until I reminded him that mama might be near. The space age pack towel that said baby bear was flossing his chompers on is still a valued possession.
While living just outside Soldotna AK, I had to throw rocks at a bear one AM to get it out of the driveway so I could ride my bike to work. I left at 0500 to ride 6 miles to work and there were neighbors, so yelling or a shotgun blast was a no-go.
I didnt have to be too far from the door to toss em and could have made inside easy if needed.
Or used the 870 with 3” slugs.
Preferred to just get it gone and go to work and I did.
I didnt have to be too far from the door to toss em and could have made inside easy if needed.
Or used the 870 with 3” slugs.
Preferred to just get it gone and go to work and I did.
Once I had been backpacking up a big drainage near Girdwood AK.
As I was headed back down, about 1/2 mile from town was a trail and I saw a lady walking her black lab coming along. About 15’ from me and 30’ from her a 2 yr old black bear popped up. I just took a step back, gathered my surroundings, and was prepared to wait for it to go along.
She asked, “Do you have any food to give it so it will go away?”
“Your dog” was not the answer she was looking for.
Less than 60 seconds later the bear decided I smelled too bad and took off into the alders.
She gave me the nastiest look as I walked past where she couldnt move from. Due to fright or stupidity, I’m not sure.
As I was headed back down, about 1/2 mile from town was a trail and I saw a lady walking her black lab coming along. About 15’ from me and 30’ from her a 2 yr old black bear popped up. I just took a step back, gathered my surroundings, and was prepared to wait for it to go along.
She asked, “Do you have any food to give it so it will go away?”
“Your dog” was not the answer she was looking for.
Less than 60 seconds later the bear decided I smelled too bad and took off into the alders.
She gave me the nastiest look as I walked past where she couldnt move from. Due to fright or stupidity, I’m not sure.
I’ve ran into bears several times over the years while in Maine. Whether it be hunting or work, just yell at them & they generally run off providing there are no cubs present.
One time while deer / bear hunting I had bumped two adult black bear& two cubs about 50 yards away on a two-track in the woods. I wasn’t sure if the two adults were both sows or a sow / boar, so I passed on shooting any of them. I backed away w/ my 300 WM bolt gun & the bears headed into the brush. I had to come back through that area to reach camp as the sun was setting, so I was a bit nervous. It all worked out in the end. I wasn’t going to shoot a sow w/ a cub in anything short of a life or death scenario.
One time while deer / bear hunting I had bumped two adult black bear& two cubs about 50 yards away on a two-track in the woods. I wasn’t sure if the two adults were both sows or a sow / boar, so I passed on shooting any of them. I backed away w/ my 300 WM bolt gun & the bears headed into the brush. I had to come back through that area to reach camp as the sun was setting, so I was a bit nervous. It all worked out in the end. I wasn’t going to shoot a sow w/ a cub in anything short of a life or death scenario.
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Deer hunting on Sitkalidak Island in Alaska. I was dressing a deer while watching a Kodiak momma and 2 cubs walking up a parallel ridge about 400 yards away. I was anxiously waiting for the wind to change directions and for them to come take my kill. I definitely didn't get as much meat off that deer as I should have. 
I see black bears occasionally in the Sierra Nevada's, they tend to scare off easily. Those Kodiak's in Alaska are on another level though.
I see black bears occasionally in the Sierra Nevada's, they tend to scare off easily. Those Kodiak's in Alaska are on another level though.
When I was about 6 or 7, my family was staying at my Grandparents' cabin in Northern Minnesota.
Saturday morning, my dad woke me up to see the bear that was between the cabin and the lake. It was no more then 20 feet from the cabin.
We watched it for a while and it eventually wandered off into the woods.
Fast forward about six hours.
We were all down on the dock fishing, talking, whatever, while we had a couple pizzas in the oven.
I went up to the cabin to use the shitter and left the main door open, leaving just the screen door closed.
I went to go back down to the dock and when I opened the screen door, I had a black bear cub staring me in the face from about 3 or 4 feet away. I'm guessing he smelled the pizza and was hoping for an easy snack.
Luckily I just shit or I would have messed my drawers.
I started yelling and everyone came up from the dock to see what the commotion was all about.
My uncle grabbed his camera and went chasing it through the woods, only to later find out there was no film in it.
Saturday morning, my dad woke me up to see the bear that was between the cabin and the lake. It was no more then 20 feet from the cabin.
We watched it for a while and it eventually wandered off into the woods.
Fast forward about six hours.
We were all down on the dock fishing, talking, whatever, while we had a couple pizzas in the oven.
I went up to the cabin to use the shitter and left the main door open, leaving just the screen door closed.
I went to go back down to the dock and when I opened the screen door, I had a black bear cub staring me in the face from about 3 or 4 feet away. I'm guessing he smelled the pizza and was hoping for an easy snack.
Luckily I just shit or I would have messed my drawers.
I started yelling and everyone came up from the dock to see what the commotion was all about.
My uncle grabbed his camera and went chasing it through the woods, only to later find out there was no film in it.
Every year around this time the bears wreak havoc on every thing around my house and cabin,too many neighbors for a permanent fix.
I assume that is directed at me.
See all these stories of folks and bears...and yet no one has been mauled. Now i will tell you, i’ve been in the same situation as the picture posted above 3x with the gun pointed right between the eyes of a bear at really close range...spitting distance. Never had to drop a hammer on them though.
My Wisc. black bear story.
Back in '99, the wife and I were out in the woods cruising around in our Jeep and took a forestry road (two track) that was starting to get a little overgrown, and noticed two cubs doing what cubs do and started to wonder where momma was, when we started to back outta there, here comes momma right behind us and the stand-off began. The cubs started whining/crying(?) and I hoped like hell momma would not hop in the back of our topless Jeep because she thought her cubs were in danger and we were the obvious threat. Luckily she went off into the bushes at a run and we got the hell outta there. That's my story and I'm sticking with it! Mac
Back in '99, the wife and I were out in the woods cruising around in our Jeep and took a forestry road (two track) that was starting to get a little overgrown, and noticed two cubs doing what cubs do and started to wonder where momma was, when we started to back outta there, here comes momma right behind us and the stand-off began. The cubs started whining/crying(?) and I hoped like hell momma would not hop in the back of our topless Jeep because she thought her cubs were in danger and we were the obvious threat. Luckily she went off into the bushes at a run and we got the hell outta there. That's my story and I'm sticking with it!
MacOne of the guys I work with had this bear encounter the other day!
Now I get what you’re sayin. I just didn’t get the internet bears thing. They’re fascinating animals. I have nothing against hunting them, but good to let them live if you can. Probably a pretty good rush to be that close to one, have it look you in the eye and then be able to tell about it with all appendages attached.
Had a big black bear walk up my aunt’s driveway outside Charleston, WV on it’s hind legs and then rummage around the front porch.
Have been somewhat close to a few.
A few blacks in NM and some in ID.
Sow and cub was probably the most interesting.
Was fairly interesting in ID when the smell of one woke me up at 3am in our Tut.
R
A few blacks in NM and some in ID.
Sow and cub was probably the most interesting.
Was fairly interesting in ID when the smell of one woke me up at 3am in our Tut.
R
Back in 1994 backpacking alone far north of Priest Lake Idaho I came across a griz just above the treeline. He was busy digging out a Marmot in the rocks i suspect. I was downwind and he had no idea I was there. I thought this would be a great picture, but I wanted to be prepared in case he heard the shutter click.
Camera with 135 telephoto was already on my chest, so I slowly draw .44 mag Super Redhawk to not draw attention. I raise the camera and look through the view finder and instinctively raise my normally free hand - yes I'm a lefty - and with a clack the camera and Ruger meet.
Instantly the bear rises on 2 legs and turns towards me. I stood there for what seems forever with my eye glued to the view finder watching the bear and him watching me about 40 yards away. He growled, huffed and then suddenly twirled away jumping over the rock pile and down over the ridge. All I got was fuzzy picture of his big ass and a new appreciation of how BIG an adult grizzly bear actually is.
Days later i came across a ranger while looking for my Jeep that I camouflaged just a little too well. He told me the area I was in is where they take bad bears from Yellowstone.
Camera with 135 telephoto was already on my chest, so I slowly draw .44 mag Super Redhawk to not draw attention. I raise the camera and look through the view finder and instinctively raise my normally free hand - yes I'm a lefty - and with a clack the camera and Ruger meet.
Instantly the bear rises on 2 legs and turns towards me. I stood there for what seems forever with my eye glued to the view finder watching the bear and him watching me about 40 yards away. He growled, huffed and then suddenly twirled away jumping over the rock pile and down over the ridge. All I got was fuzzy picture of his big ass and a new appreciation of how BIG an adult grizzly bear actually is.
Days later i came across a ranger while looking for my Jeep that I camouflaged just a little too well. He told me the area I was in is where they take bad bears from Yellowstone.
A close family friend has lived in AK since 79 and used to do a lot of guiding (not the Drew Pogge kind, hunts in Griz country).
He has always carried a single action. Current choice is a .475 Linebaugh with 400 gr hardcasts. A hoot to shoot, I kinda want one.......
He has always carried a single action. Current choice is a .475 Linebaugh with 400 gr hardcasts. A hoot to shoot, I kinda want one.......
regarding single actions...
every. single. time. that i’ve been in shit, i’ve had more than enough time to bring the gun to bear (single. time-bring to bear.......puns intended). single action isnt a disadvantage. oh, i know, “...but you have to cock it before you fire it and with a bear on top of you, you might not be able to’’. to which i say, they are predators and very adept at keeping extremities pinned down as they are doing you in. so if you get that far gone, you aint gonna be able to aim a double any more than a single. doubles are too awkward to carry, and that is where the single action beats them hands down.
dude with the pistol cocked and aimed at that bear was in control. using his God given senses, he got the drop on the bear, which is the way to do it. and as long as you are aware of what’s going on around you, it generally isnt an issue.
every. single. time. that i’ve been in shit, i’ve had more than enough time to bring the gun to bear (single. time-bring to bear.......puns intended). single action isnt a disadvantage. oh, i know, “...but you have to cock it before you fire it and with a bear on top of you, you might not be able to’’. to which i say, they are predators and very adept at keeping extremities pinned down as they are doing you in. so if you get that far gone, you aint gonna be able to aim a double any more than a single. doubles are too awkward to carry, and that is where the single action beats them hands down.
dude with the pistol cocked and aimed at that bear was in control. using his God given senses, he got the drop on the bear, which is the way to do it. and as long as you are aware of what’s going on around you, it generally isnt an issue.
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